I've always had a bit of a soft spot for this episode. Many years ago, I saw Jerry Stiller at a restaurant and yelled "Serenity now". I was later informed by his driver that it made his day. It was a funny episode too
13 Reviews
Hoochie Momma.
Sirus_the_Virus12 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The Plot of the episode: Frank starts a new computer business after seeing The Net. He hires Goerge and Lloyd Braun. The two are in a competition to see who can sell more. Frank's relaxation technique drives everyone insane. Jerry's new girlfriend(Lori Loughlin) doesn't believe that he can be serious, so he starts yelling at everyone. first, nobody takes him seriously then he starts doing it and everyone gets creeped out. Kramer takes Frank's screen door and starts "Anytown, USA", which is where he has lawn chairs and stuff outside of his house. It doesn't last long when kids start tormenting him. Elaine discovers that her "Shiksa appeal" starts making all of the Jewish men fall for her. Including Mr. Lippman and Mr. Lippman's son.
The serenity now truly is a fantastic episode. The entire show is fantastic but the newer episodes are phenomenal. Every episode of the classic show is, classic. You can't go wrong. I have recently stated saying Serenity now to relieve stress and it actually does work. The episode is hilarious, and does work.
The serenity now truly is a fantastic episode. The entire show is fantastic but the newer episodes are phenomenal. Every episode of the classic show is, classic. You can't go wrong. I have recently stated saying Serenity now to relieve stress and it actually does work. The episode is hilarious, and does work.
An Unsettling Episode, But In A Good Way
paulwetor29 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Lately I've been binge-watching my Seinfeld DVD collection and after seeing this episode, it troubled me. This was opposite Jerry - one with real emotions, which had never been seen before. Jerry up to now was even-Steven and his anger was feigned comedic anger. This time he lets out real emotions, has tears, and cares about breaking up with Patty.
After 8 seasons of mellow Jerry, it caught me off guard. He proposes to Elaine, who later accepts, only to find that old Jerry is back. Like George in the episode, I had an unspoken wish that Jerry and Elaine would get together. It's been eight years and nobody else has survived the weekly dating turnover except Susan and the dimwitted Puddy.
But as Jerry told Elaine, the price was that funny Jerry was gone, and instead you get serious Jerry. This is like the "Star Trek" episode where Kirk gets split into two incomplete personalities. Which unsettles me. We've been conditioned to expect Jerry to be the same way every week, and now he's completely unfamiliar. Part of me wants the old Jerry back and part of me wants the emotional Jerry to marry Elaine.
But this is "Seinfeld" so we know what the result is: no lurch into drama and seriousness. This is not "Friends" - no crying allowed. In any other series, this episode would end with the main character waking up to discover it was all a dream.
The part with Kramer having a screen door was much funnier than I expected. His experience of small-town America turns into "get off my lawn" and "keep your balls out of my yard" reality.
After 8 seasons of mellow Jerry, it caught me off guard. He proposes to Elaine, who later accepts, only to find that old Jerry is back. Like George in the episode, I had an unspoken wish that Jerry and Elaine would get together. It's been eight years and nobody else has survived the weekly dating turnover except Susan and the dimwitted Puddy.
But as Jerry told Elaine, the price was that funny Jerry was gone, and instead you get serious Jerry. This is like the "Star Trek" episode where Kirk gets split into two incomplete personalities. Which unsettles me. We've been conditioned to expect Jerry to be the same way every week, and now he's completely unfamiliar. Part of me wants the old Jerry back and part of me wants the emotional Jerry to marry Elaine.
But this is "Seinfeld" so we know what the result is: no lurch into drama and seriousness. This is not "Friends" - no crying allowed. In any other series, this episode would end with the main character waking up to discover it was all a dream.
The part with Kramer having a screen door was much funnier than I expected. His experience of small-town America turns into "get off my lawn" and "keep your balls out of my yard" reality.
A unique episode
pandey2727 April 2020
Seinfeld is a kind of show where you don't see much emotions other than comedy related. So, this time they tried to produce love, anger and compassion among characters and they knew that it would be considered weird by the audience. But they pulled it off. Just one thing I didn't like was kissing Elaine in a harassing way. If this was shot today then it would be considered a big controversy.
Ha
bevo-1367823 June 2020
awkwardness all the way...
tarascopablo21 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of my favorites ever -despite the fact that IMO Seinfeld´s last 3 seasons are below average-.
I just love the whole awkwardness this episode gives to every character.
For Jerry, opening up about his feelings makes him do some things that are not normal for him such as saying "I love you" to both George and Kramer -George´s reaction is hilarious- and proposing to Elaine out of the blue. Also, the fact that Jerry cried for the first time in the series in this episode is quite fun.
For Elaine being kissed by a young boy and then by his father and then by their rabi makes it so awkard and yet so hilarious.
Kramer is awkard per se throughout the series so nothing new there although i liked the whole screen door bit.
George? Wow... I don´t know what was in that final dialogue with Jerry but i would have loved to hear it.
SERENITY NOW!
I just love the whole awkwardness this episode gives to every character.
For Jerry, opening up about his feelings makes him do some things that are not normal for him such as saying "I love you" to both George and Kramer -George´s reaction is hilarious- and proposing to Elaine out of the blue. Also, the fact that Jerry cried for the first time in the series in this episode is quite fun.
For Elaine being kissed by a young boy and then by his father and then by their rabi makes it so awkard and yet so hilarious.
Kramer is awkard per se throughout the series so nothing new there although i liked the whole screen door bit.
George? Wow... I don´t know what was in that final dialogue with Jerry but i would have loved to hear it.
SERENITY NOW!
Overrated silliness foreshadowing the decline of the series
truss00727 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, I am a huge Seinfeld fan and have rated most of the episodes higher than the General population. However, I just cannot get behind this episode's silliness and unusual plot lines. Little Lippman kissing Elaine then big Lippman kissing Elaine? Jerry crying and not knowing what tears are? Lloyd Braun brought back as a secondary character? Kramer sitting on his "porch" getting harassed by kids then destroying computers? The rabbi asking Elaine out?
All of their emotions and plots felt forced and unlike the day to day relatable observations that made other episodes so great.
In summary, I feel this episode foreshadowed the decline of the show. Awkward and unfunny episode save for Jerry Stiller's performance - 6/10.
All of their emotions and plots felt forced and unlike the day to day relatable observations that made other episodes so great.
In summary, I feel this episode foreshadowed the decline of the show. Awkward and unfunny episode save for Jerry Stiller's performance - 6/10.
Bad Episode, Save for Frank
Samuel-Shovel24 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In "The Serenity Now" Jerry dates a girl that encourages him to display more emotions. Kramer turns his apartment into an American Dream-esque home, complete with a screen door and rocking chair. George starts working for his dad selling computers out of the garage. He has sales battles with the other employee Lloyd Braun. Elaine is kissed by a 13 year old at a Bar Mitzvah. Soon she has all sorts of Jewish men attempting to date her.
It's been a while since I've thoroughly disliked a Seinfeld episode as much as this one. None of the subplots are funny. Elaine's one just feels creepy by a modern lense. Jerry is such a bad actor that him showing emotion doesn't play off very well. The writers give Kramer almost 0 things to do here. The one saving grace of this is Frank and his "Serenity Now!" yells. He never disappoints. He probably saves this from being a total disaster.
It's been a while since I've thoroughly disliked a Seinfeld episode as much as this one. None of the subplots are funny. Elaine's one just feels creepy by a modern lense. Jerry is such a bad actor that him showing emotion doesn't play off very well. The writers give Kramer almost 0 things to do here. The one saving grace of this is Frank and his "Serenity Now!" yells. He never disappoints. He probably saves this from being a total disaster.
Not My Cup of Tea but Still Some Cool Stuff
Hitchcoc30 April 2023
The one thing I really did enjoy (although it eventually got sort of tiresome) was Kramer taking Frank's screen door and putting it on his apartment door. He soon has a law chair, a Weber grill, and an American flag. He is doing country living, but soon runs afoul of the neighborhood kids. The whole thing with Jerry getting mad and showing emotions is pretty boring. I don't know who that young woman is but she is a knockout. George's venture into the computer sales business is not that great. Elaine goes to a Bar Mitzvah and is kissed violently by the young Jewish boy. This leads to a whole bunch of complications.
One of the few episodes I really didn't like
TOMNEL26 January 2007
I don't know what it is about this episode, but I just didn't like it very well. It was one of the super silly episodes that has really unrealistic plot lines. This episode deals with Frank Costanza hiring George and Lloyd Braun to sell computers out of his house. Elaine is kissed by Mr. Lippman's son at his bar-mitzvah, and Elaine finds out she has a Shix appeal to Jewish men when Mr. Lippman also kisses her and when the loudmouth Rabbi tries to set her up with a friend. Kramer installs a screen door and gets in a fight with some kids. And Jerry tries to be mean when his girlfriend says he can't do it, and he finds that after yelling nonstop, his emotional side comes out. It's a really stupid episode, that I might have enjoyed if these four plots were subplots in other episodes, but having four stupid subplots together just didn't work for this one. And the reason the episode is called the Serenity Now is because Frank's doctor said just to yell Serenity Now! whenever he was frustrated.
My rating: Mediocre episode. 30 mins. TV PG
My rating: Mediocre episode. 30 mins. TV PG
Final appearance of Lloyd Braun
safenoe8 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The Serenity Now is an episode I first watched when it debuted back in the 1990s, part of the final season, when the world (well much of the world) were dismayed that Seinfeld wasn't able to continue for another season. Anyway, this episode marked the final appearance of Lloyd Braun, who was first played by Canadian actor Peter Keleghan and then by Matt McCoy, famous for his role in The Hand that Rocked the Cradle in the early 1990s. Anyway, the part about Elaine and the young boy, Adam, was a bit awkward, and imagine if it roles were reversed and it was George and a young girl because that would have been understandably shocking.
Classic Frank moments, but not a good episode altogether
holetariat2 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The only enjoyable plotlines in this episode is Frank yelling serenity now! and Kramer installing the screen door on his apartment.
The Elaine storyline with Jewish men being attracted to her is mediocre. The constant of men ignoring consent with Elaine in this episode is gross as well. However it is realistic, and shows the inappropriate ways men interact with women.
However, the mental illness portrayal with Lloyd Bran's character is sooo cringey and problematic. Also, his character is just cheesy and cringey in the episodes once Lloyd Braun is out of the hospital. The plotline of his father selling computers is ridiculous, but not the usual more believable ridiculousness of George's parents. Lastly, the storyline with Jerry's emotions is so problematic and enforces toxic masculinity. It is okay to have feelings. You don't lose control of your behavior when you start expressing your feelings. Such an unhealth portrayal of human emotions.
"Wanna buy a computer?! Why not?! Okay I see; good answer" is a pretty funny George moment though when he's trying to sell the computers.
I'm also a fan of the scene where Jerry is asking Elaine to marry him. I love how taken off-guard she is, and how quickly George and Elaine leave his apartment. The cinematography in this episode with people quickly leaving was pretty good; I enjoyed the fast moving rocking chair when Elaine quickly leaves the religious man's office. In the end, there is some classic Elaine attitude with "that's just great!" and "that's because you're an idiot" that I love.
The ending of the computer selling plotline is nice because it blows back in George's face. I like how he got ahead of himself with his insecurities, like usual, and tried so hard to compete with Lloyd. Meanwhile, the whole time Lloyd wasn't actually selling computers, and then of course Kramer breaks all of the computers that George bought. A nice comedic ending to a bad plotline.
It's one thing to do these problematic things, and address them in some way, but they did not address these things in an analytical way. These problematic things are obviously included because they find it funny, or agree with the things being portrayed.
So overall, multiple bad plotlines smushed into one episode with problematic messaging, but at least they stuck to the character types well? lol
Hoochie Momma!!!!
The Elaine storyline with Jewish men being attracted to her is mediocre. The constant of men ignoring consent with Elaine in this episode is gross as well. However it is realistic, and shows the inappropriate ways men interact with women.
However, the mental illness portrayal with Lloyd Bran's character is sooo cringey and problematic. Also, his character is just cheesy and cringey in the episodes once Lloyd Braun is out of the hospital. The plotline of his father selling computers is ridiculous, but not the usual more believable ridiculousness of George's parents. Lastly, the storyline with Jerry's emotions is so problematic and enforces toxic masculinity. It is okay to have feelings. You don't lose control of your behavior when you start expressing your feelings. Such an unhealth portrayal of human emotions.
"Wanna buy a computer?! Why not?! Okay I see; good answer" is a pretty funny George moment though when he's trying to sell the computers.
I'm also a fan of the scene where Jerry is asking Elaine to marry him. I love how taken off-guard she is, and how quickly George and Elaine leave his apartment. The cinematography in this episode with people quickly leaving was pretty good; I enjoyed the fast moving rocking chair when Elaine quickly leaves the religious man's office. In the end, there is some classic Elaine attitude with "that's just great!" and "that's because you're an idiot" that I love.
The ending of the computer selling plotline is nice because it blows back in George's face. I like how he got ahead of himself with his insecurities, like usual, and tried so hard to compete with Lloyd. Meanwhile, the whole time Lloyd wasn't actually selling computers, and then of course Kramer breaks all of the computers that George bought. A nice comedic ending to a bad plotline.
It's one thing to do these problematic things, and address them in some way, but they did not address these things in an analytical way. These problematic things are obviously included because they find it funny, or agree with the things being portrayed.
So overall, multiple bad plotlines smushed into one episode with problematic messaging, but at least they stuck to the character types well? lol
Hoochie Momma!!!!
Serenity itself could not help this show from dying
ThunderKing626 March 2023
Frank tries to help keep the show going but things around it is an anchor.
This review was published on Internet Movie Database on March on the day of the 26th in the year 2023rd in the 21st century...
What is this episode of Seinfeld about?: Frank is trying to control his anger.
George takes on Lloyd Braun.
Jerry cares.
Kramer screws in a door.
Elaine... gets kissed by a kid and I feel sorry for him. Elaine is not good.
The story and the production Overview: Only looking at Jerry's girl gives this episode some hope. Also Frank chips in a lot but still this episode fails. It's not good.
Highlight: Kramer making the popping sound.
Laugh meter: 6
Girlfriend attractiveness level: Jerry's girl is a 8. She was a hot mama.
What can be learned?: Serenity now does not work, it only bottles things in and POP!!
Verdict: Hash.
This review was published on Internet Movie Database on March on the day of the 26th in the year 2023rd in the 21st century...
What is this episode of Seinfeld about?: Frank is trying to control his anger.
George takes on Lloyd Braun.
Jerry cares.
Kramer screws in a door.
Elaine... gets kissed by a kid and I feel sorry for him. Elaine is not good.
The story and the production Overview: Only looking at Jerry's girl gives this episode some hope. Also Frank chips in a lot but still this episode fails. It's not good.
Highlight: Kramer making the popping sound.
Laugh meter: 6
Girlfriend attractiveness level: Jerry's girl is a 8. She was a hot mama.
What can be learned?: Serenity now does not work, it only bottles things in and POP!!
Verdict: Hash.
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